Recently, tourists are exploring a new unique corner of nature - Martville Canyons. Georgia is rich in picturesque landscapes of unique nature.
Tourist paradise
This amazing mountainous country has an extraordinary variety of natural landscapes created by beautiful mountains, warm sea and fast rivers. The rich flora and fauna of Georgia is represented by unique species, many of which can be found only here.
The country has a rich ancient history and culture, according to legend, it was here that the legendary Colchis was located. Georgia has many unique historical monuments - churches, cathedrals, monasteries, made in Georgian temple architecture. Georgia is unusually attractive for tourism and recreation.
Canyon on the Abasha River
One of the wonderful natural attractions of Georgia is Martville Canyon. How to get to it, tell any local. This amazing place is located near the town of Martvili. This pretty town, formerly called Chondidi, is located on the Colchis Lowland. The city is notable for its monastery, built in the 7th century in honor of the holy martyrs. Near the monastery stands the Church of the Virgin. The murals of the 14th century are still preserved in the temple.
The Martvili Canyon, 2400 meters long, forms the Abasha karst river, originating on the inaccessible plateau of Askhi. This small stream with cold clear water cut through a deep canyon in the rocks, forming a picturesque gorge. Around the canyon are centuries-old relict forests and high cliffs. Long vines descend from the cliffs, which together with dense vegetation create the feeling of a tropical forest. The river flows at the bottom of the gorge to a depth of 40 meters. The spectacle is delightful and bewitching. Rocks hang over the water, forming a vault at a great height.
It is best to sail in a rubber boat to the top of the gorge, where a wonderful seven-meter waterfall is located. In some places, the canyon descends with ledges, forming bizarre terraces. Its walls are covered with moss from high humidity, and in many places streams flow from cracks. Halfway the river forms a quiet backwater, after which it falls down a deafening twelve-meter waterfall. This stunning picture can be seen from the wooden bridge. The sun's rays, reflected in droplets of water dust, dance with millions of irises.
Canyon Boat Tour
Many tourists prefer to go deep into the canyon in rubber boats, of which there are many. You can rent a boat or sail along with the boatman - a local resident who will tell a lot of interesting things about the canyon. At rifts, the boat has to be carried on hand, and passengers have to go in shallow water along always cold water. Behind the second rapids there is a waterfall that can be reached by swimming - a rather risky venture, because the current in this place is very strong, and the water is icy. This fascinating journey gives you the opportunity to look closely at the miracle of nature - the white walls of the canyon, clear clear water that changes color from turquoise to emerald, the lush greenery of the forest and the most beautiful waterfall on the river.
A canyon runs along the canyon, along which you can take a walk while admiring the picturesque bends of the river, the sound of waterfalls and high cliffs from which local residents jump into the water. When the sun hides behind the clouds, Martville Canyon is enveloped in a light haze, giving it an unreal, mystical look.
Baths of the Princes Dadiani
Nearby, a hundred meters from the canyon, according to local residents, there are baths, and nearby is the estate of the Dadiani family - the sovereign princes of Megrelia, the oldest aristocratic family of Georgia. The Dadiani possessed a priceless relic - the shroud of the Virgin Mary, brought from Byzantium by their ancestors in the 15th century. This shroud is usually presented at memorable church celebrations. The family also kept relics indicating kinship with Bonaparte - after all, one of the representatives of the princely family was the wife of a nephew of the French emperor.
The water in the mountain river is always icy, so it’s risky to swim or swim in it. But it is so clean that it can be drunk. In hot weather, water flows in separate streams, forming in places shallow water, through which you have to drag the boat. However, in spring, during snowmelt or during heavy rains, the water level in the river rises by five to six meters, and all this mass rushes along a narrow gorge with a roar and a roar - a grandiose and frightening sight.
Dinosaur footprints
Martville Canyon is not only a natural, but also a unique historical attraction. Here, in the limestone rocks, the fossilized remains of ancient animals that lived on the planet millions of years ago were discovered. Even traces of dinosaurs, carnivores and herbivores have been found. And the presence of limestone rocks indicates that once there was a sea at this place, after which these unique rocks remained. According to the found remains of sea urchins, one can speak of the Upper Cretaceous period. The canyon has another name - "Jurassic Park." There are also traces of the existence of primitive man.
Martville Canyon is included in the list of ten best natural attractions of Georgia, reviews of admired tourists confirm the correctness of this decision. Recently, the canyon was closed during construction work. It is supposed to equip the territory, build a tourist center and equip the canyon with the necessary infrastructure for visiting tourists. Convenient descent will be built to the river, and a pier for boats will be built, as well as a convenient observation deck at the top. It is assumed that this place will be given the name "Royal Canyon" instead of the current "Martville Canyon". Photos of this attraction will attract masses of tourists.
Motena Cave
Not far from the canyon, limestone rocks formed Motena Cave, consisting of two spacious halls with a total length of 75 meters. The halls are connected by a narrow gap. In the cave, you can see huge "icicles" hanging from the ceiling - stalactites and stalagmites growing from below, forming columns in places, as well as travertine formations. Near the cave is a medieval fortress, which is a historical monument.
Arsen Dzhodzhiashvili's cave
The second cave, named after the Georgian revolutionary Arsen Giorgiashvili, is formed in petrified limestone layers and has several branches. The river flowing inside the cave flows into a large underground lake. Huge columns of snow-white stalactites and stalagmites adorn the interior of the cave, with a vault height of up to 30 meters. Inside, it’s easier to get around in rubber boats. A stepped waterfall flowing out of the cave has a height of 234 meters.
Martville Canyon has become a popular natural attraction. The coordinates of its beginning are 42 ° 27′23.5 ″ s. w. and 42 ° 22′34.2 ″ in. The canyon is located very close to the town of Martvili in Megrelia (Georgia, the region of Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti). You can get to it by minibuses, which depart from Kutaisi station every hour. After the stop, going down to the river, you can see tourist buses and bright rubber boats. You can come to the canyons with a guided tour from Batumi, as well as a taxi from Martvili.